The advent of nanoscience and nanotechnology offers unprecedented opportunities in nanomedicine, such as increas-ing therapeutic efficiency and decreasing undesired side effects in cancer treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive pho-totherapy-based method that is applied in the treatment of cancer and other diseases and has important clinical value. PDT can be com-bined with other therapies to realize the synergistic treatment. The emergence of up-conversion nanomaterials provides a fundamental method to solve the problem of photodynamic therapy of deep tumors. Moreover, the versatile preparation and surface modification methods facilitate the fine-tuning of the emission spectrum of up-conversion nanomaterials and the improvement of the photosensitiz-er's loading capacity. This study reviews the development in design and application of up-conversion nanomaterials for PDT of cancer.

The aim of this study is to prepare hyaluronic acid (HA) modified core-shell liponanoparticles (pHA-LCS-NPs) as gene delivery system and investigate its gene transfection efficiency in human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells in vitro. The pHA-LCS-NPs was prepared by firstly hydrating dry lipid film with CS-NPs suspension to get LCS-NPs, then modifying the lipid bilayer with HA by amidation reaction between HA and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Its morphology, particle size and zeta potential were investigated. XTT assay was used to evaluate the cell safety of different vectors in vitro. The gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs modified with different contents of HA was investigated in ARPE-19 cells with green fluorescent protein (pEGFP) as the reporter gene. The results showed that the obtained pHA-LCS-NPs exhibited a clear core-shell structure with the average particles size of (214.9 +/- 7.2) nm and zeta potential of (-35 +/- 3.7) mV. The 24 h cumulative release of gene from pHA-LCS-NPs was less than 30%. After 48 h incubation, gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs/pEGFP was 1.81 times and 3.75 times higher than that of CS-NPs/pEGFP and naked pEGFP, respectively. Also no obvious cytotoxicity was observed on pHA-LCS-NPs. It suggested that the pHA-LCS-NPs might be promising non-viral gene delivery systems with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity.

The aim of this study is to prepare hyaluronic acid (HA) modified core-shell liponanoparticles (pHA-LCS-NPs) as gene delivery system and investigate its gene transfection efficiency in human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells in vitro. The pHA-LCS-NPs was prepared by firstly hydrating dry lipid film with CS-NPs suspension to get LCS-NPs, then modifying the lipid bilayer with HA by amidation reaction between HA and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Its morphology, particle size and zeta potential were investigated. XTT assay was used to evaluate the cell safety of different vectors in vitro. The gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs modified with different contents of HA was investigated in ARPE-19 cells with green fluorescent protein (pEGFP) as the reporter gene. The results showed that the obtained pHA-LCS-NPs exhibited a clear core-shell structure with the average particles size of (214.9 +/- 7.2) nm and zeta potential of (-35 +/- 3.7) mV. The 24 h cumulative release of gene from pHA-LCS-NPs was less than 30%. After 48 h incubation, gene transfection efficiency of pHA-LCS-NPs/pEGFP was 1.81 times and 3.75 times higher than that of CS-NPs/pEGFP and naked pEGFP, respectively. Also no obvious cytotoxicity was observed on pHA-LCS-NPs. It suggested that the pHA-LCS-NPs might be promising non-viral gene delivery systems with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity.
Cell Survival ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; drug effects ; Transfection

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in the proliferation, growth, invasion, and metastasis of human cancers. Moreover, β-catenin/T-cell factor 4 (TCF4) interaction regulates the transcription of the key oncogenes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, β-catenin/TCF4 interaction would be a promising therapeutic target for the development of highly selective anticancer agents. At present, most ongoing small-molecule inhibitors targeting β-catenin/TCF4 interaction, including PKF222-815, iCRT3/5/14, LF3, and sanguinarine, have been developed in preclinical studies for human cancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarized the research advances of up-to date inhibitors targeting β-catenin/TCF4 interaction, including the molecular structure and cellular functions of β-catenin in canonical Wnt signaling pathway. This review holds a hopeful avenue for the development of novel and highly selective Wnt inhibitors targeting β-catenin/TCF4 interaction for future anticancer strategy.

Objective Cloning-sequencing is a common method to detect the number of trinucleotide repeats.The aim of the present study is to discuss its reliability.Methods One clinically diagnosed SCA1 patient was recruited in the study.The numbers of CAG repeats in ATXN1 gene were estimated via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (DPAGE).To verify accuracy of CAG numbers estimated, the PCR products were electrophoresed on a 2.5% agarose ge] and separated bands were excised for direct sequencing.Also, the longer separated band underwent cloning-sequencing using a TA cloning kit.Results The patient was identified as SCA1 by DPAGE.After direct sequencing, the numbers of CAG repeats were 26 and 47 in the shorter and longer bands, respectively.However, after cloning-sequencing of the longer band, there are 10 different numbers of CAG repeats, including 50, 47, 46, 41,32, 28, 27, 26, 25 and 24.Furthermore, there are other kinds of trinucleotide repeats, such as CCG, CGG, CTG, CAA and TAT scattered among the CAG repeats.Conclusions It is not reliable to identify the number of trinucleotide repeats by cloning-sequencing alone.To improve the reliability, it is better to combine cloning-sequencing with other methods.

Objective To investigate the survival and prognostic factors in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST).Methods The histopathological slides from 153 patients with GIST were reviewed. The expression of CDllT,CD34,platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR-a) and Ki-67 proteins were measured by immunohistochemical staining. The factors thatinvolved in the survival and prognosis were analyzed based on the clinical features and GIST biological behavior ranking.The Kaplan-Meier and Cox model were used to evaluate the effect of variant factors on survival and prognosis.Results The survival rate of 135 patients was 94.1% 76.3% and 65.9% at 1,3 and 5 years,respectively.On univariate analysis survival was predicted by tumor size (χ2= 40.565,P＜0.01),primary tumor location (χ2=13.245,P＜0.01),mitotic count (χ2= 22.626,P＜0.01),risk ranking (χ2=19.186,P＜0.01),necrosis (χ2==28.665,P＜0.01),incomplete resection χ2=2 =29.110,P＜0.01) and Ki-67 index (χ2=15.953,P＜0.01).Multivariate analysis demonstrated that thetumor size ＞ 10 cm,primary tumor location,mitotic count＞ 10/50 HPF,high risk subgroup,tumor necrosis and Ki 67 index ＞ 5 % were poor predictors of survival.Ki-67,tumor size and mitotic count were strong poor predictors of survival.Conclusions Fletcher's biological behavior ranking is a good approach to predict prognosis of GIST patients and has significant clinical value.It's better to combine itwith other factors such as Ki-67 index and primary tumor location in order to provide evidence for therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Spleen- strengthening decoction on GLP- 1 in patients with type II diabetes. METHODS: A randomized double- blind placebo- controlled test was conducted, and through observations for 8 wks, the changes of the two patient groups in plasma glucose, HbA1c, plasma GLP- 1 and Glucagon as well as TCM symptom score were measured for comparison. RESULTS: Before administration of Spleen- strengthening decoction, the two groups showed no significant difference in all of the indexes. After administration, the treatment group recorded lower indexes in fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and plasma Glucagon, but higher index in fasting plasma GLP- 1, with no significant difference seen in other indexes. CONCLUSIONS: Spleen- strengthening decoction can improve glucose metabolism through heightening fasting plasma GLP- 1, and lowering both Glucagon and fasting plasma glucose.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on human renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by high glucose. MethodsCultured HK-2 cells were divided into 5 groups: normal control group, osmolarity control group, high glucose group, high glucose with EPO (5 U/ml)group and high glucose with EPO (10 U/ml)group. The mRNA expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2, ILK of cells were measured by RT-PCR. The levels of intracellular α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein were measured by immunocytochemistry. ResultsCompared with the control groups, mRNA expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2, ILK and protein expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 were increased after high glucose treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the high glucose group, EPO 5 U/ml or EPO 10 U/ml remarkably down-regulated the expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2 and ILK (P<0.01). ConclusionEPO can inhibit the progression of EMT and the up-regulation of TGF-β1, Smad2 and ILK induced by high glucose.

ObjectiveToinvestigatethecorrelationbetween-2578C>Apolymorphismofvascular endothelium grow th factor (VEGF) gene and carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese Han population in Shandong, China. Methods A total of 384 subjects aged 45-85 in Chinese Han population in Shandong, China w ere enroled. They were divided into either an increased intima-media thickness (IMT) group ( n=248) or a control group (n=136) according to the vascular ultrasound results. The baseline clinical data, such as the demographic data, vascular risk factors, and blood biochemical indicators in both groups were colected. Polymerase chain reaction w as used to detect the VEGF gene -2578C>A polymorphism genotype and alele. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for increased carotid IMT. Results The proportions of hypertension ( 70.6%vs.59.6%;χ2 =4.793, P=0.032), diabetes (18.4%vs.29.0%; χ2 =5.281, P=0.027), hyperlipidemia ( 45.2%vs.33.1%; χ2 =7.883, P=0.006), previous previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (29.0%vs.16.9%;χ2 =6.294, P=0.009), smoking (35.9%vs.19.9%;χ2 =10.708, P=0.001), as w el as total cholesterol ( 4.82 ±1.25 mmol/L vs.4.57 ± 0.94 mmol/L; t= -2.072, P= 0.039 ), triglyceride ( median, interquartile range; 1.71[0.84-2.22] mmol/L vs.1.53[1.08-2.59] mmol/L;Z= -2.560 P=0.010), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.86 ±1.01 mmol/L vs.2.64 ±0.85 mmol/L; t= -2.407, P= 0.033 ), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.58 ±0.72 mmol/L vs.1.43 ±0.46 mmol/L;t= -2.183, P=0.030) in the increased IMT group, and there w ere significant differences compared w ith the control group. There w as significant difference in genotype frequency betw een the 2 groups (χ2 =10.131; P=0.006). There w as significant difference in C alele frequency between the increased IMT group and the control group (78.2% vs. 70.2%;χ2 =6.068, P=0.014). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CC genotype (odds ratio 1.132, 95%confidence interval 1.021-2.141;P=0.029) w as an independent risk factor for increased carotid IMT. In 248 patients w ith increased IMT, 213 had at least 1 plaque, 76 (39.6%) of them w ere 1-2, 107 (43.15%) w ere 3-4, and 30 (12.1%) w ere 5-8 in plaque index. There w ere no significant differences in frequencies of genotypes (χ2 =6.766, P=0.149) and alele (χ2 =0.185, P=0.667) in the different plaque index groups. Conclusions -2578 single nucleotide polymorphism in the VEGF gene promoter is associated w ith carotid atherosclerosis, and C al ele may be its genetic susceptibility factor in Chinese Han population in Shandong, China.

Objective To investigate the expression of paired box 2 (Pax2) and E-cadherin in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and their correlation with clinicopathologic parameters.Methods The RCC tissue microarrays containing 85 renal cell carcinoma specimens and 35 normal kidney tissue specimens were used to detect Pax2 and E-cadherin expressions by immunohistochemistry.Results The positive expression rate of Pax2 was 77.6％ (66/85) in RCC specimens,which was significantly higher than that in 35 normal kidney tissue specimens (P ＜ 0.01).The positive expression rate of E-cadherin was 30.6％ (26/85) in RCC specimens,which was significantly lower than that in 35 normal kidney tissue specimens (P ＜ 0.01).The expression of Pax2 in RCC was significantly related to histological classification and pathological grade (P ＜ 0.05),while it was not related to the size of tumor and clinical stage (P ＞ 0.05).The expression of E-cadherin in RCC was significantly related to the size of tumor,histological classification,pathological grade and clinical stage (P ＜ 0.05).The positive expression rate of E-cadherin in survival group was significantly higher than that in death group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The abnormal expressions of Pax2 and E-cadherin may play a crucial stage in development of human RCC.Detection of the expressions of Pax2 and E-cadherin can be used in the evaluation of malignant degree and prognosis of RCC.